State education officials are reviewing a proposal to increase funding for schools across the state, amid concerns about a trend of declining school enrollment across Massachusetts. The House Ways and Means Committee has released a $7.66 billion budget for Chapter 70 education aid, which includes a 4% or $296.5 million increase from the current year. This is the sixth and final year of phased-in increases mandated in the Student Opportunity Act. The increases come as enrollment declines across the entire state, particularly among multilingual students and lower-income students. The bill includes a $10 million reserve to offset reductions in state aid distributed to cities and towns under Chapter 70 due to unexpected reductions in English language learners. However, member Martin West expressed concern about the House's move to prioritise district funding increases over some of the board's priorities.